Annual Rotary Auction under way

12 years ago

   PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Rotary Club’s 65th annual Radio-TV Auction got under way last night, and area residents are finding good deals and supporting several worthwhile non-profit organizations at the same time.

The auction, which continues tonight and wraps up Thursday night, is broadcast live from the Northeastland Hotel from 7-10 p.m.

The club has a long list of auction items, including 3-night special items, one-night special items, regular one-night items, and art auction items. The auction features nearly 700 auction items — valued at more than $50,000 — generously given by more than 200 donors.

Among this year’s big-ticket items include a 2011 Wildfire Scooter donated by Griffeth Ford Lincoln Mitsubishi and Griffeth Honda, a Honda generator with electric start donated by Katahdin Trust Co. and Harry’s Motor Sports, an infrared portable heater provided by TD Bank and Lynox Welding Supply, and iPads contributed by MMG Insurance.

A new feature of this year’s art auction is that the Presque Isle Rotary Club has partnered with the Wintergreen Arts Center on the effort, with all proceeds going toward Wintergreen’s after-school programming. All art pieces connected with the auction — which includes everything from pottery and stained glass to paintings and fiber arts — are viewable online at http://pirotaryclub.org/?cat=9.

Proceeds from this year’s regular auction will go toward seven area non-profit organizations that were chosen for funding. The recipients selected include the Francis Malcolm Science Institute, Hope and Justice Project, Aroostook Huskies Football Club, Friends of Aroostook, Martha and Mary’s Ministries, Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery and the Presque Isle Historical Society.

Each year the Rotary Club chooses a project or organization to receive Special or Major Project status. This year’s special project goal of $25,000 is earmarked for the purchase of new beds, bunk beds, and footlockers for the area’s homeless shelter. These new additions will allow Homeless Services of Aroostook greater flexibility in stacking and moving beds, increasing their ability to reach full capacity. The footlockers will provide the facility’s residents with a place to store their clothes and personal belongings in a locked storage unit.

Proceeds from the auction will also support many other community projects throughout the entire year through the Rotary Youth Fund, Scholarship Fund, General Fund, and World Community Service Fund.

“People’s generosity is amazing,” said Ralph McPherson, who is co-chairing the auction with Scott Violette. “Given our economy and what we have for businesses, people have been wonderful. Not only do the businesses donate items to the auction, but many give in advertising, too.

“This is all about the community projects that we support. The organizations that have been selected this year, as we’ve seen in past years, are exceptional at what they do and they make such a big difference in the community,” he said. “And as a Rotary Club, we’re only able to help them because of the support we get from the community.”

Auction booklets with a complete listing of items were inserted in the Nov. 14 weekly newspapers and extra copies are available at participating local merchants.

Bidders can call 764-6181 or 1-866-902-2003. Successful bidders will be notified following the last half-hour of each evening. They can pick up their items at the distribution center, which this year will be at the North Street Plaza, Suite 17, near Pat’s Pizza.

In addition to being broadcast on Time Warner Cable (Channel 9) and Big Country 97 (96.9 FM), a live streaming webcam of the quote board will be available on the club’s website (www.PresqueIsleRotary.org). People can also follow the auction on Facebook at presqueislerotary and on Twitter at @PIRotary.